Hello From Lincolnshire

[Mgran]

Hello

We have just come back to caravaning after twelve years away now the kids have grown up.
we have brought a 2008 Coachman VIP 535.
We have put a tow bar on my 2013 Audi A6 Avant multitronic but did not feel that comfortable on the first tow so we are putting a tow bar on my wife's 2007 Honda CRV Mk3 2.2 CDTI which should be a far better tow car...... We hope!

Marc

 

[brian_c]

Welcome to the Forum Mgran.
I'm sure you will get many well balanced replies with regard to your tow car situation from the very knowledgeable forum members.
enjoy your return to the caravanning world.
best regards Brian

 

[Dustydog]

Hello

We have just come back to caravaning after twelve years away now the kids have grown up.
we have brought a 2008 Coachman VIP 535.
We have put a tow bar on my 2013 Audi A6 Avant multitronic but did not feel that comfortable on the first tow so we are putting a tow bar on my wife's 2007 Honda CRV Mk3 2.2 CDTI which should be a far better tow car...... We hope!

Marc

Hi Marc

Welcome to the forum and back to caravanning.
The Audi is very slightly heavier than the Honda. By 11kgs according to http://www.whattowcar.com/.
Both vehicles with your caravan are quoted at a weight ratio of 92%. Whilst above some guidelines it is legal and should not present any real problems other than perhaps some slip streams and cross winds.
Have you made sure the caravan is correctly loaded with the correct noseweight?
Have you checked the efficiency of your Al-ko stabiliser? NO GREASE! Must be bone dry and friction pads in good condition.
Can you describe what or how it did not feel comfortable?

Good luck.

 

[mealsonwheels]

Welcome to the forum - once a caravanner, always a caravanner!

 

[Parksy]

Hello Marc, welcome to the forum and back to caravanning.
Try to load the caravan so that the noseweight is as close to the limit as possible without being over.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

A belated welcome to you.

 

[Mgran]

Hello Dustydog.
Thank you for you comments. I know that I loaded slightly rear heavy as I miss judged where the axle was with the van being so much linger than our last one! I have since bought a nose weight gauge. I also found the Audi is a very low car with a long tail which meant I felt every movement. I think that when I take into account that it is was the first time I towed with an automatic and it is an electronic handbrake botton it all felt very strange. The CRV however is a manual with a higher driving position and a 4x4. Where it lacks in HP it makes it up with plenty of torque as well as a far better nose weight of 100kg. The CRV also has a legal tow weight of 2000kg compared to only 1600kg for the Audi. The CRV will also be far better for our Labrador.
We are amazed with how things have moved on in only twelve years, this is our 4th caravan with all the mid cons. Our first van was a 10ft rambler with a foot pump for water, bucket for waste, no fridge or oven..... This was only 21 years ago!

Marc

 

[Mel]

Hi Marc, welcome to the forum.
mel

 

[Di3]

Hi Mgran
Welcome to the forum
Di

 

[Beachball]

Hi Marc Welcome to the practical caravan forum M8